Championships in soccer, field hockey, swimming, volleyball to be decided

Capsule previews of Saturday's 16 state high school championship events:

Boys Soccer

Class LL

No. 15 Glastonbury (14-5-2) vs. No. 4 Farmington (17-3-1), 10 a.m.

Where: Willow Brook Park, New Britain

About Glastonbury: On Oct. 8, Glastonbury was without four starters in a game against East Catholic. Three weeks later, the Tomahawks suffered their third loss in four games to RHAM in the first round of the CCC tournament. But Glastonbury rallied in the Class LL tournament with wins over Newtown, Fairfield Ludlowe, Simsbury and Darien. The Tomahawks are playing their best soccer of the year and have three shutouts in the past four games. They've been led by senior goalie Dan Jennings, junior Nick Kapelewski, freshman Sebby Sanzaro and senior captain Tyler Peterson, who returns after missing the regular season with a broken ankle.

About Farmington: In their first year back in Class LL, the Indians have survived two overtime games and a conference rival (Conard) in the second round to get to championship. It is Farmington's 16th title game appearance and 13th under coach Steve Waters. After graduating several key players from last year's Class L championship team, Waters has turned to his defense to set the tone and playmakers Evan Hughes, Ryan Koziol and Jared Edelson to find the back of the net. Farmington beat Glastonbury 2-1 the last time the teams played for a title in 2008.

About Branford: The Hornets failed to make it out of the first round of the SCC tournament and entered the Class L tournament with a record of 1-2-2 in their last five games. But they've since put together four straight wins, averaging 2.5 goals a game.

About Avon: In each of the past six seasons, the Falcons have been eliminated in the tournament by the eventual champions. It is a run they're hoping to end this season with a group that can defend well (one shutout shy of the school record with 14) and score in bunches (13 postseason goals). The defense is led by senior Stephen Dorney and the offense has been sparked by junior Riley Strassner, who is two goals away from the single-season scoring record (33).

Class M

No. 11 Tolland (14-5-1) vs. No. 8 Ellington (15-3-2), 10 a.m.

Where: Middletown High

About Tolland: With help from a deep roster, the Eagles have advanced to their first Class M final since winning the championship in 2009. Tolland's depth has helped the team survive the loss of three players to concussions in the tournament and made their offense one of the toughest to predict. Mike Zimmerman is the team's leading scorer. The group can also draw on championship experience from the bench. John Mankus and Jordan Bridge played on the 2009 team and have been assistant coaches under their old coach Jim Leahy.

About Ellington: A year after losing to Suffield in the Class M championship, the Purple Knights are back playing for the state title.Anchored by a stingy defense and the program's top scorer in James Costanzo, Ellington is on an eight-game win streak and playing some of its best soccer. Goalie Bailey Bassett and centerbacks Jack Connelly and Ian Chandler have helped the team get 11 shutouts.

Class S

No. 7 East Hampton (12-4-2) vs. No. 1 Somers (15-2-2), 1 p.m.

Where: Willow Brook Park, New Britain

About East Hampton: After failing to make the Shoreline tournament, the Bellringers entered the Class S tournament with noticeably less attention than their conference rivals. But East Hampton has played well under first-year coach Jermaine Keller and has a seven-game win streak headed into the championship. The Bellringers have won two games in penalty-kick shootouts in the tournament, including a 4-2 victory over Haddam- Killingworth in the semifinals.

About Somers: Behind the play of speedy forward Corey Brown and goalie Kyle Trusch, the Spartans are back in the final for the fifth time in seven years. Brown and Trusch helped pace the top seed to a victory in the semifinals, but their supporting cast is large. The Spartans tied Avon, which plays in the Class L final Saturday, and lost to Class LL quarterfinalist Suffield and Class M quarterfinalist Granby.

About Glastonbury: Since the start of 2009, Glastonbury has a record of 108-5-5. But the Tomahawks have just one title. On Saturday, they're hoping to change that. Led by midfielder Mara Cosentino and seniors Taylor Walker, Maddy Gray, Sara Dicenso and Brittany Uricchio, the group has posted 14 shutouts this season and averaged 4.13 goals a game. The Tomahawks beat Darien, Staples and Simsbury by a combined score of 8-2 to get to the final. It is the Tomahawks' fourth final since 2009.

About Fairfield Warde: The FCIAC co-champions (tied with Staples) defeated 2013 Class LL champions St. Joseph of Trumbull 3-2 in the quarterfinals and beat Ridgefield 1-0 in the semifinals on a goal with 21 seconds left. Led by Mollie Kerrigan, who had five saves against Ridgefield, and defender Jenn Maldonado, the Mustangs have had three shutouts in four tournament games. Virginie Larouche and Lauren Tangney should also be key players in the Mustangs' first final since 2007.

Class L

No. 6 Immaculate-Danbury (13-3-4) vs. No. 4 Avon (16-1-2), 10 a.m.

Where: Ken Strong Stadium, West Haven

About Avon: The Falcons have 18 seniors, including defenseman Amanda Holtzman, forwards Michaela Marcus and Hannah Davey, and goalies Emma Carlone and Lydia Cuddeback. With their careers coming to a close, the large group has played well, beating E.O. Smith, Guilford and Mercy. In the quarterfinals, Davey scored with one second left to give Avon a 3-2 victory of 2013 champions Guilford. It is the Falcons' fifth finals appearance since 2009. Coach Jim Murray just won his 400th game against Guilford.

About Immaculate: The Mustangs are back in a familiar place – the finals. With shutout wins over Barlow, Northwest Catholic and Wethersfield, Immaculate advanced to its 12th state championship since 1996 and first in Class L. Immaculate moved to Class L last season after winning 10 Class S titles from 1996-2012. The Mustangs have been led by a mix of players, including senior Paige Davis, juniors Caitlyn Linden and Shaun Alterisio and freshman goalie Kristen Rossler.

About East Catholic: The Eagles finished the regular season fourth in the CCC North standings and on a two-game losing streak. But they quickly regrouped in the tournament, winning four straight games and advancing to their first state championship in school history. On Wednesday, East Catholic picked up its biggest upset yet with a 2-1 overtime victory over top-seeded Lewis Mills. Lafeyette-bound midfielder Mason Worthington has helped lead the Eagles and Nicole Garfield scored the overtime winner against Lewis Mills.

About Weston: After winning two titles in the early 90s, Weston is making its first championship game appearance in 20 years. The Warriors defeated Valley Regional-Deep River, Woodland, Waterford and Suffield to get to the final. Weston has just three seniors and has been led by a large junior class, which includes midfield standout Charlotte Cenatiempo and semifinal hero Hannah Campos, who scored the winning penalty kick against Suffield in a shootout.

Class S

No. 29 Portland (10-9-1) vs. No. 3 Housatonic (16-3), 10:30 a.m.

Where: Municipal Stadium, Waterbury

About Portland: The Highlanders entered the first round of the Class S tournament with the highest seed in the field and just two victories since the start of October. But with the help of goalie Brooke Marconi and senior Kayla Hardesty, they've become one of the biggest surprises in any of the four tournaments. Portland, which started postseason play with a losing record, has won four straight shutouts, including a penalty kick victory over Notre Dame of Fairfield in the semifinals. It is the team's third straight championship game appearance. Portland tied Old Saybrook last season in the final.

About Housatonic: After combining to beat its first three tournament opponents 7-2, the Mountaineers are set to play in their first state championship. Housatonic has eight shutouts this season, including two in the state tournament and is undefeated against teams in Class S. The Mountaineers lost twice to Lewis Mills, which advanced to the Class M semifinals before losing, and Nonnewaug of Woodbury, which was the fifth-seed in the Class M tournaments.

MATTHEW CONYERS

Field Hockey

All matches at Wethersfield High.

Class L

No. 7 Darien (17-5) vs. No. 1 Glastonbury (18-0-1)

Time: 12:30 p.m.

About Darien: Darien is the two-time defending champion and has won either the Class L or M title six of the last seven years. This has been a "down" year for the Blue Wave, with five losses, but two were to top out-of-state teams and another to Wilton, which is in the Class M championship game.

About Glastonbury: The Tomahawks' defense is strong and has not allowed a goal all season. The lone blemish on their record is a 0-0 tie with Avon, a Class M semifinalist. Glastonbury is led by senior midfielder Leyna DiMarco, a regional All-American last year. Junior Yasmeen Saeed (16 goals) and Catherine Guanci (13 goals) were the team's leading scorers in the regular season. Glastonbury last won the title in 2010, when the Tomahawks shared it with Pomperaug.

Class M

No. 1 Wilton (17-3-1) vs. No. 2 Hand-Madison (16-2-1)

Time: 2:30 p.m.

About Hand: Hand hasn't lost since Sept. 20, when it fell 2-0 to Class L finalist Darien. The Tigers were the SCC tournament champions, defeating Lauralton Hall 2-1 in overtime. Hand has been to the title game four times (1998, 2005, 2006, 2010) but has not won. Katie Omdal leads the team in scoring (20 goals, six assists) and center back Hannah Leckey has 11 goals and 15 assists.

About Wilton: Wilton is the three-time defending champion and lost eight players to graduation but returns to defend its title. The Warriors faced Hand once before in the final in 2006, winning, 2-0. Wilton's defense is led by senior captain Caroline Taverna.

Class S

No. 3 Granby (16-1-0-1) vs. No. 1 Lewis Mills-Burlington (18-0)

Time: 10 a.m.

About Granby: The Bears, last year's Class S runners-up, are playing for their 14th state title and will make their 20th state final appearance. Granby has faced Lewis Mills three times in the final, in 1974, 2003 and 2009, winning all three. The Bears are led by senior midfielder Olivia Johnson and senior defender Krista Iwanicki. Goalkeeper Hannah Crose has 10 shutouts.

About Lewis Mills: The Spartans are the only team left with a perfect record in the finals. Lewis Mills was co-champion in 2005 with Haddam-Killingworth. The Spartans are led by senior Ally Jackson (23 goals, nine assists and had two in the semifinal win over Killingly) and Sadie Robinson (20 goals). Senior captains Andie Stone and Kelly Winterbottom anchor the defense.

LORI RILEY

Girls Volleyball

All matches at Glastonbury High School

Class S

No. 2 Seymour (23-1) vs. No. 1 Haddam-Killingworth (25-1), 10 a.m.

About Seymour: The 2005 Class M runner-up is making its second finals appearance in school history. The Wildcats won the NVL this year, only losing to Torrington in the regular season.

About Haddam-Killingworth: A banner year earned the Cougars the top-overall seed in its class. H-K won the Shoreline Conference Tournament and is hoping to capture the school's second title under coach Richard Langer, who is retiring after the season.

Class M

No. 3 St. Joseph (20-4) vs. No. 1 Granby (25-0), 1 p.m.

About St. Joseph: The Cadets are 5-1 all time in volleyball finals, reaching the championship with wins over Plainfield, Weston and Waterford.

About Granby: The Bears ended Coventry's reign over the NCCC and Class S with an undefeated regular season and a conference tournament title. Granby has dominated its opponents all year, not playing a single five-set match yet.

Class L

No. 2 RHAM-Hebron (23-1) vs. No. 1 Farmington (25-0), 4 p.m.

About RHAM: The Sachems are the defending Class L champions and the CCC tournament champs. RHAM is making its seventh appearance in the finals since 2007, posting a 5-1 record in title games.

About Farmington: The Indians have been the top team in Class L all season. Farmington returned the majority of last year's lineup that lost to RHAM in the title game. The Indians were undefeated during the regular season but fell to the Sachems in the CCC tournament final.

Class LL

No. 2 Darien (23-0) vs. No. 1 Cheshire (24-0), 7 p.m.

About Darien: The Blue Wave is seeking its 17th title in school history, the most in the state.

About Cheshire: The Rams are the defending Class LL champions, seeking back-to-back undefeated seasons. Cheshire claimed its fourth straight SCC title this year.

Of Note: Last season's All-Courant swimmer of the year, Siobhan Dale, tied for the Class L 50 freestyle title, and her sister, McKenna, finished third in the event. Siobhan also placed third in the 100 free. Siobhan won both events at last year's Open, but will have to cut a second off her times to reach the mark she set last year. Smalec placed second in the 100 butterfly last season and is on pace for another top finish. Glastonbury, who placed fourth on Wednesday at the Class LL Final, is a top area team to keep an eye on. Coach Suzie Hoyt thought her team had room to improve after Wednesday night. The Tomahawks hope to have their best showing of the season Saturday.

MATT McDONOUGH

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